Chapter 21: Buying Needles

Everyone here is an educated youth; why is it that he gets to be the health worker and doesn’t have to go out to the fields to toil, while the rest of us have to face the earth with our backs turned, enduring all the hardship? How can the fates of different people vary so drastically?

Especially Zhao Weiguo. He adjusted his glasses, his eyes flickering uncertainly behind the lenses. He pressed his lips tightly together, saying nothing. He had always considered himself an excellent student, but here, he had no advantage at all. Could it really be that looking good was the key to survival? No, that wasn’t right—they had real skill; after all, he had saved Old Man Zhang! Thinking of this only made Zhao Weiguo feel more choked up inside.

Gao Jianjun gave a few more instructions about winter production and precautions against fire and theft, then waved his hand decisively. “Alright, that’s the end of the meeting! Team leaders, gather your people and continue going up the mountain to chop firewood as arranged yesterday! Let’s get enough wood ready before the snow falls!”

“Yes! Secretary!” The team leaders responded immediately, calling out to their respective members.

“Team Two, gather here.”

“Team Three, follow me!”

“Team Four, grab your tools and move out!”

“Team Five, keep up!”

...

The courtyard erupted into motion. Members hoisted axes and machetes, carried shoulder poles and ropes, and pushed wheelbarrows. Led by their team leaders, they divided into groups and marched in a grand procession toward the forest outside the village.

The scene was bustling with people, the clashing of tools filling the air with the vibrant spirit of collective labor.

Jiang Xiaoman was nestled in the ranks of Team Five. She wore a thick cotton jacket, and the red scarf around her neck stood out vividly. She curiously glanced around, occasionally turning back to wave at Zhou Yichen, flashing a wide grin that revealed two adorable little tiger teeth.

Zhou Yichen watched her petite figure blend into the labor force, the group gradually disappearing into the distance. Worry gnawed at his heart. This girl usually seemed carefree, but after all, she was a city girl. Chopping firewood was no easy task. Could her small frame handle it? He hoped she wouldn’t collapse from exhaustion on the very first day.

Yet, there was little he could do. Going down to the countryside, joining the agricultural labor, and undergoing re-education by the poor and lower-middle peasants was the inevitable path for every educated youth—no one could escape it.

All he could do was support her in other ways within his capacity.

Zhou Yichen silently planned that after borrowing a bicycle, he would go to the commune to see if he could buy some meat. Meat was scarce these days and not something one could buy on a whim. If he went too late, only lean meat might be left.

Yes, in these times, fatty meat was much more sought after; lean meat had little grease and fewer buyers.

On the way back, he would trade with the village women for some eggs or fresh vegetables and radishes.

He had to return early at noon to prepare the meal. When Xiaoman came back exhausted from a morning’s work, she could have a warm, fragrant meal waiting—no need to worry about trivial matters.

Watching Jiang Xiaoman’s small figure grow more distant with Team Five, Zhou Yichen finally withdrew his gaze. His mind still on the midday meal, he turned toward the brigade office.

He needed to borrow the bicycle first before heading to the commune.

Inside the office, after a brief inquiry, he found Accountant Li, who was busy with the accounts.

“Accountant Li, are you busy?” Zhou Yichen greeted with a smile.

Li looked up, pushing his bifocals up the bridge of his nose. Upon seeing Zhou Yichen, he smiled. “You’re Zhou Yichen, right? What can I do for you?”

Zhou nodded and got straight to the point. “Accountant Li, I’d like to borrow the brigade’s bicycle. Team Leader Wang told me to come to you.”

“Oh, borrowing the bicycle,” Li said with a knowing expression. He set aside his abacus and stood up. “Alright, Wang already gave me a heads-up.”

He pointed to a somewhat worn but serviceable bicycle resting in the corner. “That one. You’ll have to push it out yourself.”

Zhou’s eyes brightened, and he quickly expressed his thanks. “Hey, thank you, Accountant Li!”

“Don’t be too quick to thank me,” Li said, waving a hand. His smile faded slightly, his tone becoming serious.

“Yichen, I have to remind you—this bicycle is one of our most precious assets. Normally, apart from Secretary Gao and a few team leaders going to commune meetings, it’s hardly ever lent out.”

“You must be very careful when riding it. Don’t let it get scratched or damaged, do you understand?”

Hearing Li’s earnest admonition, Zhou patted his chest confidently. “Don’t worry, Accountant Li! I’ll take good care of it and return it intact!”

Li nodded approvingly, then waved him off. “Alright, go ahead. The sooner you go, the sooner you return.”

“All right!” Zhou replied cheerfully, walking to the corner to lift the bicycle.

Pushing it out of the office, he mounted the seat and pedaled with effort. The bicycle moved swiftly, far faster than walking on foot.

The wind whistled past his ears, and the scenery blurred behind him. Though the bumpy road made his seat tingle, Zhou felt exhilarated.

He sensed that his skill with the bicycle was improving; what had once felt awkward now came naturally.

What he had estimated to be an hour’s ride felt more like twenty minutes. Before half an hour had passed, the familiar green-tiled buildings of the commune appeared on the horizon.

At the commune, Zhou found a safe place to lock the bicycle, then headed straight for the supply and marketing cooperative.

There weren’t many people inside. He approached a young female clerk dressed in a blue cotton uniform, her hair braided into two thick plaits.

“Comrade, hello. Do you have silver needles for sale here?” Zhou asked politely.

The clerk glanced up, her tone somewhat cold. “Silver needles? We don’t sell those here at the cooperative.”

She pointed outside. “If you want that, you should check with the health clinic. We only sell daily necessities.”

A flicker of disappointment crossed Zhou’s mind, but he kept his courtesy. “Oh, alright. Thank you, comrade.”

Leaving the cooperative, Zhou did not linger but headed toward the commune health clinic, following the clerk’s directions.

It was understandable that the cooperative didn’t stock silver needles—they were medical instruments.

The health clinic surely would!

The only question was whether they would be willing to sell them to him.

Shortly, Zhou found the small clinic. The modest facade emitted a faint scent of disinfectant mingled with herbal medicine.

He inhaled deeply, steadied himself, and stepped inside.

Several people were waiting in line to see the doctor. Zhou’s eyes quickly found a young female medical worker in a white coat, wearing a mask, taking a patient's temperature.

He waited patiently until she finished her task, then approached.

“Comrade, hello.”

She turned her head, revealing clear, bright eyes above her mask.

“Hello. How can I help you?”

Zhou quickly explained his purpose. “Comrade, I’m the health worker for the Xiangyang Brigade. I want to ask if your clinic sells silver needles. I’d like to buy a set to treat our members.”

The woman studied him for a moment, a hint of surprise in her voice. “You’re the health worker for Xiangyang Brigade? New here?”

Zhou nodded. “Yes, I just started a couple of days ago.”

She pondered briefly, then said, “We do have silver needles here.”

She paused, then asked, “Do you have a letter of introduction or any relevant certification?”